The University of Tulsa - Drilling Research Projects (TUDRP)

The University of Tulsa Drilling Research Projects (TUDRP) is a non-profit cooperative industry-university research project to conduct basic and applied research for the advancement of drilling and well completions research. The function is to provide research for drilling technology development, and to provide student education to implement such technology in the field. The aim is to reduce well costs through improvements in the technology used to drill and complete oil and gas wells. The University of Tulsa Drilling Research Projects (TUDRP) is an industry sponsored academic research consortium that performs research in such areas as Drilling Fluids, Cuttings Transport, Drill String Mechanics, and Under-Balanced Drilling, Wellbore Stability, and so on. The emphasis of research projects conducted under the TUDRP umbrella is placed not only on new findings but is also useful for practical application for the advancement of drilling technology and cost efficiency. TUDRP provides experimental data sets, develops math models for practical design purposes and provides semi-annual and final reports as part of the deliverables to its members. TUDRP provides a unique environment, with one of largest flow loops in the world. It contains all components of a real rig mud system. Experiments involving cuttings transport, two-phase gas-liquid flow and foam flow in the pipe & annulus can be conducted.